Strauss announced his retirement from cricket at Lord's on Wednesday, having previously informed his team-mates via individual handwritten letters that were distributed after the one-day side's defeat against South Africa on Tuesday.

Finn has known Strauss since he was a teenager, bowling to the then left-hander in the Middlesex nets and going on to become a team-mate at county and international level.

He admits it is a sad time to see the 35-year-old depart, but praised him for a hugely successful three-and-a-half-year stint at the helm.

"It's obviously disappointing to see Straussy leave us as captain and leave cricket altogether," said Finn.

"He was a fantastic captain and it was great to play with him for Middlesex since I was 16 or 17 years old. To grow up with him around has been fantastic. He's achieved so much in an England shirt and been such an inspirational leader for the group and for me personally.

"He's always helped young players and he's given plenty their opportunity.

Pleasant experience

"All the young players and all the people who have made their debuts under him have had a very pleasant experience.

"He was a masterful captain in the way he went about dealing with those sorts of things."

Alastair Cook, who took over the one-day captaincy from Strauss after last year's World Cup, has inherited the Test reins and Finn has no doubt he will be a success.

"Moving forward Alastair has done very well as one-day captain and we've played a great brand of one-day cricket under him," he added.

"We're looking forward to doing that in the Test matches now.

"Obviously we're disappointed and sad that Andrew has made this decision but the most important thing now is that we move forward under Alastair's captaincy and try to get better."

Cook and Finn take on South Africa at The Oval on Friday in the third match of the one-day series, which the tourists lead 1-0 after a washout in the opener at Cardiff.